80s Transmigration: The Young Widow's Hustle to Riches

Chapter 373 - 370: The Midnight Returnee

On her way back to the pastry shop, Lin Lan made a point of riding her bike through the wet market. She bought two bunches of fresh amaranth greens—a Dragon Boat Festival essential—and placed them in her basket. She hung four old ducks from the back of her bike and bought a pile of mushrooms, which she put in her satchel, before finally returning to the shop.

It was not yet seven, but the market was gradually filling with shoppers. Perhaps because Lin Lan’s shop offered such a wide variety of zongzi flavors, even more people came to buy them than the day before.

Many of their old customers from Eucalyptus Forest, who had bought their zongzi before, came back for more.

Qiaohui and Tong Xinglan both relaxed. The young owner of the steamed bun shop across the street walked over with a sheepish grin, looking at Tong Xinglan. "Well, look at you. Business is as good as ever."

Tong Xinglan rolled her eyes at him and snapped, "What’s it to you if our business is good or bad?"

The young owner just smiled at her good-naturedly. "Come on, don’t be like that. There are plenty of customers in the East Market; I’m not going to steal any of yours."

"Hmph! I can’t be bothered with you." Tong Xinglan shot him a glare, then turned and went inside the shop.

Seeing Tong Xinglan leave, the young owner blushed and asked Qiaohui, "Ma’am, is she your sister?"

"’Ma’am’?! I’m old enough to be your aunt! What a blockhead." Qiaohui fumed, plopping onto a stool and ignoring him.

At noon, Zhigang returned after closing up his stall. Lin Lan had him slaughter two of the ducks. As for the other two, she had him take them back to Lexing to be kept alive; they were for Dragon Boat Festival gifts tomorrow. The young owner returned to his shop across the street, smiling sheepishly. He was talking to someone, but kept glancing over at Tong Xinglan in the pastry shop.

Qiaohui waved Tong Xinglan over from inside the shop. When she came out, Qiaohui said, "I’m pretty sure that guy from across the street has a thing for you."

Tong Xinglan glanced across the street and saw the guy grinning and looking their way. She turned back, amused, and said, "You know what? That guy is so pale and plump, he really does look like a steamed bun."

Qiaohui gave her a look and teased with a smile, "Don’t tell me you’re starting to like that ’Steamed Bun’ yourself?"

"I don’t like steamed buns," Tong Xinglan said, then turned and walked back into the shop.

In the afternoon, representatives from three businesses came to pick up the zongzi they had ordered.

The zongzi wrapping was finally done. Lin Lan paid the women their wages and gave each of them a few zongzi as well. The women left happily, carrying their zongzi.

Qiaohui looked at the zongzi in the baskets and sighed. "Well, that’s finally over. I used to love the fresh scent of the bamboo leaves, but after smelling it for days straight, I don’t think I can even eat a zongzi."

Lin Yuezhen smiled and signed to her, "That’s how it goes. Too much of a good thing, and even the most delicious food stops feeling special."

Tong Xinglan added, "Exactly! Ever since I came to my cousin’s shop, I’ve stopped craving my old favorites, like puffed rice bars and sachima."

Lin Lan laughed. "Well, I’ll give you all a change of pace tonight. We’re having stewed old duck and wild mushroom soup."

Tong Xinglan’s face lit up. "Awesome! We’re going to have a feast tonight."

Lin Lan took the mixed mushrooms out of her satchel. After a look, Qiaohui noted that there were a few porcini and morels in the mix.

The fresh mushrooms were caked with yellow mud and soil, so the three women scraped them clean and set them aside.

The old duck was chopped into large chunks and placed in a pot of cold water. She poured in a little wine and brought it to a boil to blanch the meat. Afterward, she rinsed the pieces twice under clean water and transferred them to a clay pot.

She added slices of ginger, a pinch of goji berries, a proper amount of salt, a handful of scallion whites, and about a dozen slices of cured ham. She brought the pot to a rolling boil, then lowered the heat to a simmer for half an hour. Next, she poured the mushrooms into the clay pot, brought it back to a boil, and let it simmer slowly.

Lin Lan checked the time. It was past six o’clock, and Li Xiangyang still wasn’t back. ’He’s probably not going to make it back tonight,’ she thought.

A little while later, Zhigang, Old Li, and Little Douzi came over to the shop.

They saw the stove was still out by the entrance, with only a few zongzi left simmering in the pot.

Lin Lan told Old Li that business was much better this year than last, but she suspected it wouldn’t be as good next year.

Old Li had also noticed the row of stoves set up in front of the restaurant and the steamed bun shop across the street. He laughed. "That’s just how business is. Next year, even more people will be jumping on the bandwagon."

Lin Lan figured he was right.

The group went into the backyard, where Little Douzi stared curiously at the baskets of zongzi. "Wow! You guys are amazing! You made so many!"

Tong Xinglan laughed and pinched his nose. "Little Douzi, let your Auntie tell you a secret. We didn’t wrap all these. The Snail Girl came and did it for us."

Little Douzi shook his head vigorously. "You’re fibbing, Auntie! Mama told me the Snail Girl is just from a fairy tale."

"Smart boy!" Lin Lan laughed, ruffling his hair. "Your auntie thought she could fool you just because you’re young."

Beaming from the praise, Little Douzi looked at Lin Lan. "Mama, Great-Grandma said she loves the sweet potato zongzi you make. Are there any left?"

"I saved about a dozen. They’re in the refrigerator. We can bring them to Great-Grandma later."

Lin Lan placed the clay pot on the table and lifted the lid, releasing a fragrant, savory steam. "Dad, I bought an old duck and some mushrooms and made a pot of duck and mushroom soup."

"I bought two ducks as well," Old Li said, "along with some other things for Dragon Boat Festival gifts. If Xiangyang doesn’t make it back by tomorrow, you’ll have to deliver the gifts to your parents by yourself. Please give them my apologies."

"Thank you, Dad. Mom and Dad know Xiangyang has things to do; they won’t mind."

"Good. And tell your dad that when Xiangyang is back, I’ll come over for a drink and a game of chess."

"Okay!"

Lin Lan smashed a few garlic cloves and dried chilies into a hot wok, gave them a quick toss, and then threw in the amaranth greens. She stir-fried everything over high heat for a few moments before transferring it to a plate.

With the cold-tossed pig ears, the stewed duck with mushrooms, and a large plate of garlicky amaranth greens, everyone ate until they were completely satisfied.

After dinner, Old Li left with Little Douzi and Zhigang, while Lin Lan stayed behind to keep watch over the zongzi.

After dark, Lin Lan locked the door. She, Qiaohui, and Tong Xinglan put the next batch of zongzi on to boil, and then the three of them began taking shifts to rest.

Just after midnight, Lin Lan was dozing in a bamboo chair, waiting for the zongzi to finish cooking. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. When she listened closely, she realized it was Li Xiangyang’s voice.

Lin Lan slid the bolt open and pulled open the door to see Li Xiangyang standing on the doorstep. His eyes were shining as he looked at her. "Honey, I’m home."

"How did you know I’d be here?" Lin Lan asked, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Li Xiangyang reached out and pulled her into his embrace. "I missed you. Uncle Da dropped me at the house, and Dad said you were over here, so I showered and rode my bike straight over."

In the next instant, his warm lips were on hers, and any words Lin Lan might have said were lost in the kiss.

After a moment, Lin Lan looked up at Li Xiangyang. "Are you hungry? There are zongzi inside."

"Starving," Li Xiangyang said, giving her hand a squeeze. Lin Lan blushed and pinched the soft part of his waist in response.

Li Xiangyang took her hand, and they walked toward the backyard together. The moment they stepped inside, the fragrance of zongzi filled the air. "Honey, you’re still boiling zongzi this late? Don’t you ever sleep?"

’Dad had said business was great this year, and that Lin Lan had been too busy to get any real sleep for days.’

"I’ve slept some. Qiaohui, Xinglan, and I are taking shifts. This batch will be ready in another half hour. Once we get them out and put the next pot on, it’ll be Xinglan’s turn."

"Alright. Once they’re cooked, we’ll go home together."

"Let me make you a bowl of noodles."